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Artist Statement -



Expressionism through color, depth, and the deconstruction of form

Sight. Seeing. How do we see? Is it simply through optic sensations that we view and judge the world around us? Our circumstances? Or is there some deeper, psychological process we are/are not aware of at play? To what extent of what we see is colored by our own personal psychology? The psychology of our environment? Our society?

What I ultimately love most about painting over all other mediums, is the flexibility allowed the artist. While the same may be said of other mediums, for me, this is especially true with painting. Recent technological developments in materials has decreased the medium's limitations. Now more than ever a wide variety of possibilities to express oneself exists.

Currently the images I’m working with come from a long tradition in European (especially Spanish) painting. By searching for new ways to approach and create these archaic images, I seek to find a new way of self-expression. I believe that most, if not all, great art is born of struggle between the things that limit us, that stand between what we want and what we can control. Each attempt at deconstructing the images, either through color combinations or the manipulation of lines and structure, is unique unto itself. Each approach is guided by my thoughts and emotions at the time. It is during the process of building the work that even more changes occur, so that the final effect is more an evolution than a specific solution.

I search for different levels within my art. I feel strongly that art should be used to open up and express areas of feelings rather than merely illustrating an object, person, or place. In divesting myself of the need to record the world around me realistically, new techniques have opened up to me providing my work with an identity all it’s own.

“Resist painting” is a technique I developed while trying to create a graphic look with paint and brush. It involves creating simplified images from negative space. It also calls for using the paint in a subtractive method, (hence, “resist” painting), scraping away areas, giving the visual impression of a giant wood cut. One is constantly striving to make the most of the pictorial space as economically as possible. This becomes even more difficult and unpredictable with the introduction of color.

Flatness of the image and the extreme simplification of tone values and line soon threaten the successful conclusion of a work with the introduction of color. These problems were solved by treating both the surface and paint with synthetic polymers, and industrial resins throughout the painting process. The opaque paint is then manipulated and used as a transparent paint, automatically reversing the ‘normal’ process. The illusion of physical space created offsets the flatness and tone problems. I wish I could say I also developed this technique completely, but I can’t. Local artist, Jason Allan had been experimenting with synthetic polymers and enhancing the illusion of depth in his own work. With the guidance of this talented artist, I was able to achieve the desired results, solving the visual problems I’d been struggling with while retaining my artistic identity. However, an element of unpredictability will always remains.

Frequently I find that when I’ve created a thing of initial beauty, I ultimately destroy it, and in the act of “saving” the piece I create something much more substantive. Every piece created that I feel is good, powerful, a breakthrough for myself happened that way. It’s never been easy for me.

Artist Exhibitions



News & Events

2007 -
“La hereje,” and “El abrazo,” sell at high prices at auction sponsored by The Georgia Lawyers for the Arts, Atlanta, GA.

Artist begins teaching painting and drawing classes through the federal program, Prodigy through St. Leo’s College

Artist signs contract and paints a mural for Dade City Boys & Girls Clubs, Dade City, FL. Fade Magazine prints an interview of the project for their May 2007 issue

Baynews 9 TV interviews the artist for their Spanish Speaking channel.

Group shows at West Tampa Center for the Arts

Artist chosen to exhibit mural at Tampa International Airport. Media coverage follows

Artist interviewed for TBO.com

Artist filmed by Monadnock Media for a documentary to be released in
2008

Artist applies for Guggenheim Fellowship

2006 -
Artist recognized and awarded by Columbian Senator Piraquive for his work with Columbian children.

Mural covered in print and television medias. Artist featured on CTTV television and returns to Univision channel 62

Resist Mural completed and placed in the John F. Germany Public Library, Tampa, FL.

One Man show at the Kotler Gallery

Group shows at The Beck Gallery, Caliente Resorts, and West Tampa Center for the Arts

Artist moves his studio into the West Tampa Center for the Arts


2005 -
Artist begins teaching his technique to six disadvantaged Columbian children with the goal of creating a resist mural for public art

Print and television media extensively cover the public art project. ‘La Gazetta’ writes feature article, and Univision channel 62 interviews the artist.

M.I.R.A. organization publishes their interview of the artist internationally.

Record crowds attend the ‘Bare naked Art Show’ at the Horizon Line Gallery to view new works by the artist.

Group shows at ‘iViva la Frida Galeria,’ and the Beck Gallery

Artist invited to exhibit with world renowned artists Dr. Ferdie Pacheco and Dr. Anthony Cardoso at the Centro Asturiano, Tampa, FL.

One Man show at the Posh Salon

Recognizing the achievements Elio López The artist, who seemingly rose out of nowhere with the invention of a new painting technique has been asked to speak at the Scarfone/ Hartley Galleries at the University of Tampa on his art and it’s meaning.

Artist receives an award of excellence at the Noche de la Galeria, Teco Plaza, Tampa, FL.

One man exhibition at Galarie 1067
1067 SW 8th St., Miami, FL

2004 -

Artist spends five weeks in Spain

One man exhibition at The Kotler Gallery, Tampa, FL

Art & Frame Review Cover story

One man show at iViva la Frieda's!, Tampa, FL

2003 -

Charles-Harold purchases ten of sixteen resist paintings shown

Artist invents new painting technique he calls 'Resist Painting'

Artist sells works to Charles-Harold Collection

Debut show at iViva la Frida!, Tampa, FL.
...

Artist Publications



South Tampa News, 2003
Temple Terrace Beacon, 2003
Check it Out! Magazine, 2003
Town & Country News, 2004
Art & Frame Review, 2004
Tampa Tribune Northeast, 2005
Tampa Tribune Metro, 2005
Temple Terrace News, 2005
La Gazetta, 2005
Tampa Tribune, 2005
Tampa Tribune, 2006
South Tampa News, 2006
Tampa Tribune Pasco Edition, 2006
Fade Magazine, 2007
Tampa Bay Business Journal, Sept.-Oct. 2007
TBO.com interview, 2007

Television:
Monadock Productions films artist for a documentary to be included in the new Tampa Historical Museum, 2007
Univision, Channel 62, 2005-2006
CTTV TV, Tampa, FL. 2006

...

Artist Collections



“Unidad,” Mural, 10’ x 17’, Dade City Boys & Girls Club, Dade City, FL.

“iOle Tampa!” Resist Mural, 8’ x 4’, collection, John F. Germany Public Library, Tampa, FL.

“Negra,” Watercolor, 10 x 12, Coll.: John Churak, Tampa, FL 33637

“Untitled” Lithograph, 15 x 15, Purchase Award, Hillsborough Community College, 1976

“Yo: autoretrato,” 30 x 22, Resist painting, John F. German Library, Tampa, Fl., 2003

“Triple Self Portrait,” 15 x 22, graphite on paper, private collection, 1977

“Tension,” 9’.5” x 8’.5”, acrylic and beeswax on masonite, private collection, 1980

“Venu en un paquete plano,” (Venus in a Plain Brown Wrapper), 36 x 48, acrylic on cardboard, Radtke family collection, 1992

“Paisaje,” (Landscape), 18 x 20, oil on canvas, Myles family collection, 1992

“Pensamiento,” (Pensive Moment, study), 16 x 20, Acrylic on canvas, Giovo family collection , 1992

“El infierno,” (Hell), 8’ x 10’, oil on canvas, Collection: Orchid Lopez, 1992

“El toreo,” (The Bullfight), four painting watercolor suite, Deglans family collection, 1993

“La negra esclava,” (The Negress), 30 x 40, acrylic on canvas, Myles family collection, 1993

“La siesta,” (The Nap), 36 x 36, oil on canvas, Orchid Lopez, 1993

“Venus morada,” (Violet Venus), 22 x 30, Acrylic on paper, Giovo family collection, 1993

“Paisaje,” (Landscape, study), 12 x 16, Acrylic on canvas, Giovo family collection, 1993

“Denise,” 18 x 24, commissioned portrait, oil on canvas, collection Denise Jeffers, 1993

“Mi familia,” (Family Portrait), 18 x 24, oil on canvas, Orchid Lopez, 1994

“Untitled” 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, Kel and Pat Flaherty, 1994

“Cityscape” 16 x 20, acrylic on board, collection: Vera Braunstein, 1994

“Viviendo la vida loca,” (Nebraska), 18 x 24, gouache on paper, private corporate collection, 2002

“Salchichona” portrait, 26 x 40, watercolor on paper, private collection, 2002

“Brujas,” (Witches), 11 x 26, collection Orchid Lopez, 2002

“Beso del vampiro,” (The Vampire’s Kiss), 22 x 30, water media on paper, private collection, 2002

“El beso” (The Kiss, study), 15 x 22, mixed media on paper, Collection Parrish family, 2002

“El beso,” 16 x 22 , Digital print, Collection, Charles and Viola Aiken, 2002

“Banadoras,” (Bathers), 36 x 48, Acrylic/Polymer on canvas, Charles Harold collection, 2003

“Banadoras nocturnas,” (Night Bathers) 36 x 48, Acrylic/Polymer on Canvas, Collection: Artist, 2003

“Feria,” 22 x 30, Gouache on Arches 140 lb. paper, Collection: Lang-Holloman Family, 2003

“Ocaso en Miami,” (Study) 22 x 30, Acrylic on canvas, Charles Harold collection, 2003

“Orquidea en el toreo,” (Orchid at the Bullfights), Resist painting on Arches, suite of nine paintings, Collection: The artist, 2003


“Alternativa, 20 May 1964,” Resist painting, (Gouache/Watercolor) on Arches, 14 x 18 Collection: Jason Allen, 2003

“Feria, (azul),” (Fair, blue version), Resist painting, Gouache on Arches, 22 x 30, Collection: Mr. & Mrs. J. Maranto, 2003

“Lujuria <2,” (“Lust <2”), Resist painting: Acrylic, latex, and GAC polymers on canvas, 24 x 36, Giovo family collection, 2003

“El jazzista <1,” (“The Jazz Musician”), Resist painting, Gouache, and latex on 140 lb. Arches, 22 x 30, Collection: Prof. James and Karina López, Soka University, San Diego, Calif., 2003

“Vista de mi estudio,” 30 x 20, Acrylic on canvas, Collection: Tracy Giovo , 2003

“Flores,” (Flowers), 30 x 22, Acrylic on canvas, Collection: Carolyn Fox-Perdue, 2003

“La vida y los amores de Don Flavio,” (The Life and Loves of Don Flavio), 30 x 22, Resist painting,
Acrylic, latex, GAC polymers on Arches, Collection: Lt. Col. Tony Hill and family, 2003, New Zealand

“Devodorada <1,” (Femme Fatale), 16 x 20, Resist painting, Acrylic, latex, GAC polymers on Arches, Collection: Susanne Lowe, 2003

“Maja <3”, 24 x 48, Resist painting, Acrylic, latex, GAC polymers, industrial resin on wood, Collection: Joe Stines, 2003

“Matadores,” (Matadors), 14 x 18 each, Resist painting, Acrylic, latex on Arches, Collection: Lt. Col. Tony Hill and Family, 2003, New Zealand

“Alejamiento <1 & <2,” 20 x 30 each, Resist painting, Watercolor, latex on Arches 140 lb. paper.
Collection: Mr. Tom Elgin, 2003

“Yo: autoretrato,” 22 x 30, Resist painting, Acrylic, latex, GAC 200, on Arches 140 lb. paper. Collection:
John Gerrnan (Tampa) Public Library, Tampa, FL., 2003

“Yo,” Resist Painting, Acrylic, latex on Arches 140 lb. Paper, Collection: Mr. Donald Hines, 2003

“Celos,” 30 x 40, (from 1997), Acrylic on canvas, Collection: Tracy Giovo, 2003

“Brja,” (Witch), pen and ink on Bristol board, collection: Mr. Randy Richards 2004

“Estudio para Essos locos Españoles,” (Study for Those Crazy Spaniards), pen & ink on Bristol board, collection: Ms. Ivette Sangiovani 2004

“La maja,” (The Sexy One), pen & ink on Bristol board, collection: Mr. Donald Hines 2004

“Carne viva!” (Quivering Flesh), Resist painting, Acrylic, latex on 300 lb. Arches, collection: Mr. & Mrs. Jason Marantos, 2004

“Nikki en rojo,” (Nikki in Red), Resist painting, Acrylic, latex, GAC polymers on 300 lb. Arches, collection, Noelle Tirado 2004

“Lujuria <1,” Resist painting, Gouache and latex on Arches, 16 x 30, Collection: Prof. J. Lopez and family, San Diego, Calif., 2003

“Pase de castigo <2,” (The Punishing Pass), 22 x 30, Resist painting, Acrylic, latex on Arches 300 lb.
Paper, Collection: Tracy Giovo, 2004

“Trageria elegante,” (The Elegant Tragedy), Resist painting, Acrylic, latex, GAC polymers, Industrial resins, on wood panel. Collection: Private collection 2005

“Momento de verdad <2” (The Moment of Truth <2), Resist painting, Acrylic, latex, GAC polymers, and industrial resins on canvas, Collection: Ms. Tori Colomeco 2005

“Harlequin en un corset,” (Harlequin in a corset) Acrylic on canvas, collection: Chelsa Beard 2005

"Retrato de Tori," (Tori's portrait), 16 x 16, Resist painting, Acrylic, latex, and GAC polymers on 300 lb. Arches. Collection: Tori Colomeco

"Gitana," (Gypsy), 24 x 32, Resist painting, Acrylic, latex, and GAC polymers on 300 lb. Arches. Collection: The Sims family

"Cantautora," (The Singer), Resist painting, Acrylic, latex, GAC polymers on 300 lb. Arches. Collection: Mr. Donald Hines...

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